Union workers seek support for war strike

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March 13, 2003
By JYLLIAN KEMSLEY
Sentinel correspondent

SANTA CRUZ -- A small delegation of union workers toured Central Coast cities Wednesday to distribute anti-war information to area governments, school boards and other organizations.
They’re calling for a communitywide strike if the United States attacks Iraq.
“We want businesses, agencies and governments to shut down for a day to allow people to protest,” Jeffrey Smedberg said.
“If the agencies don’t shut down, we’re calling on the working people to conduct no business as usual, and take the day in a protest action.”
Smedberg is one of the leaders of Labor for Peace, Justice and Civil Liberties, a small group of union peace activists promoting the action. He is recycling coordinator for the county of Santa Cruz, and president-elect of the Santa Cruz Service Employees Union, Local 415.
In addition to Santa Cruz and Watsonville, the group made stops in Capitola, Salinas, and at Cabrillo College.
If people cannot take the day off, the group encourages participation in lunchtime rallies or evening vigils.
The Monterey Bay Central Labor Council passed a resolution in December opposing war in Iraq.
“The U.S. labor movement increasingly sees any war with Iraq as harmful to workers, their families and communities,” said Ed Brown, secretary-treasurer of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council.
The council has not endorsed the Labor for Peace group.
At Watsonville City Hall, the caravan met with Councilman Ramon Gomez.
“I think it’s a good effort,” Gomez said.
Patrick True works with the copier program at UC Santa Cruz and made a solo run to campus to give a packet to Vice Chancellor John Simpson.
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Contact Jyllian Kemsley at jkemsley (at) santa-cruz.org